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Pang B, Wu L, Peng Y. In vitro modelling of the neurovascular unit for ischemic stroke research: Emphasis on human cell applications and 3D model design. Exp Neurol 2024; 381:114942. [PMID: 39222766 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke has garnered global medical attention as one of the most serious cerebrovascular diseases. The mechanisms involved in both the development and recovery phases of ischemic stroke are complex, involving intricate interactions among different types of cells, each with its own unique functions. To better understand the possible pathogenesis, neurovascular unit (NVU), a concept comprising neurons, endothelial cells, mural cells, glial cells, and extracellular matrix components, has been used in analysing various brain diseases, particularly in ischemic stroke, aiming to depict the interactions between cerebral vasculature and neural cells. While in vivo models often face limitations in terms of reproducibility and the ability to precisely mimic human pathophysiology, it is now important to establish in vitro NVU models for ischemic stroke research. In order to accurately portray the pathological processes occurring within the brain, a diverse array of NVU 2D and 3D in vitro models, each possessing unique characteristics and advantages, have been meticulously developed. This review presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in in vitro models specifically tailored for investigating ischemic stroke. Through a systematic categorization of these developments, we elucidate the intricate links between NVU components and the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we explore the distinct advantages offered by innovative NVU models, notably 3D models, which closely emulate in vivo conditions. Additionally, an examination of current therapeutic modalities for ischemic stroke developed utilizing in vitro NVU models is provided. Serving as a valuable reference, this review aids in the design and implementation of effective in vitro models for ischemic stroke research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Lei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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2
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Hark C, Chen J, Blöck J, Buhl EM, Radermacher H, Pola R, Pechar M, Etrych T, Peña Q, Rix A, Drude NI, Kiessling F, Lammers T, May JN. RGD-coated polymeric microbubbles promote ultrasound-mediated drug delivery in an inflamed endothelium-pericyte co-culture model of the blood-brain barrier. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:2629-2641. [PMID: 38498080 PMCID: PMC11383844 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Drug delivery to central nervous pathologies is compromised by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A clinically explored strategy to promote drug delivery across the BBB is sonopermeation, which relies on the combined use of ultrasound (US) and microbubbles (MB) to induce temporally and spatially controlled opening of the BBB. We developed an advanced in vitro BBB model to study the impact of sonopermeation on the delivery of the prototypic polymeric drug carrier pHPMA as a larger molecule and the small molecule antiviral drug ribavirin. This was done under standard and under inflammatory conditions, employing both untargeted and RGD peptide-coated MB. The BBB model is based on human cerebral capillary endothelial cells and human placental pericytes, which are co-cultivated in transwell inserts and which present with proper transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Sonopermeation induced a significant decrease in TEER values and facilitated the trans-BBB delivery of fluorescently labeled pHPMA (Atto488-pHPMA). To study drug delivery under inflamed endothelial conditions, which are typical for e.g. tumors, neurodegenerative diseases and CNS infections, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was employed to induce inflammation in the BBB model. RGD-coated MB bound to and permeabilized the inflamed endothelium-pericyte co-culture model, and potently improved Atto488-pHPMA and ribavirin delivery. Taken together, our work combines in vitro BBB bioengineering with MB-mediated drug delivery enhancement, thereby providing a framework for future studies on optimization of US-mediated drug delivery to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hark
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Junlin Chen
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Blöck
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eva Miriam Buhl
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Institute for Pathology, University Clinic RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Harald Radermacher
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert Pola
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Pechar
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Etrych
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Quim Peña
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anne Rix
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Natascha I Drude
- QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Jan-Niklas May
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Han J, Wang Y, Wei P, Lu D, Shan Y. Unveiling the hidden connection: the blood-brain barrier's role in epilepsy. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1413023. [PMID: 39206290 PMCID: PMC11349696 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1413023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is characterized by abnormal synchronous electrical activity of neurons in the brain. The blood-brain barrier, which is mainly composed of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes and other cell types and is formed by connections between a variety of cells, is the key physiological structure connecting the blood and brain tissue and is critical for maintaining the microenvironment in the brain. Physiologically, the blood-brain barrier controls the microenvironment in the brain mainly by regulating the passage of various substances. Disruption of the blood-brain barrier and increased leakage of specific substances, which ultimately leading to weakened cell junctions and abnormal regulation of ion concentrations, have been observed during the development and progression of epilepsy in both clinical studies and animal models. In addition, disruption of the blood-brain barrier increases drug resistance through interference with drug trafficking mechanisms. The changes in the blood-brain barrier in epilepsy mainly affect molecular pathways associated with angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Further research on biomarkers is a promising direction for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yongzhi Shan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Wang P, Jin L, Zhang M, Wu Y, Duan Z, Guo Y, Wang C, Guo Y, Chen W, Liao Z, Wang Y, Lai R, Lee LP, Qin J. Blood-brain barrier injury and neuroinflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2 in a lung-brain microphysiological system. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:1053-1068. [PMID: 37349391 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
In some patients, COVID-19 can trigger neurological symptoms with unclear pathogenesis. Here we describe a microphysiological system integrating alveolus and blood-brain barrier (BBB) tissue chips that recapitulates neuropathogenesis associated with infection by SARS-CoV-2. Direct exposure of the BBB chip to SARS-CoV-2 caused mild changes to the BBB, and infusion of medium from the infected alveolus chip led to more severe injuries on the BBB chip, including endothelial dysfunction, pericyte detachment and neuroinflammation. Transcriptomic analyses indicated downregulated expression of the actin cytoskeleton in brain endothelium and upregulated expression of inflammatory genes in glial cells. We also observed early cerebral microvascular damage following lung infection with a low viral load in the brains of transgenic mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Our findings suggest that systemic inflammation is probably contributing to neuropathogenesis following SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that direct viral neural invasion might not be a prerequisite for this neuropathogenesis. Lung-brain microphysiological systems should aid the further understanding of the systemic effects and neurological complications of viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunsong Wu
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zilei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Chaoming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yingqi Guo
- Core Technology Facility of Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Zhiyi Liao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yaqing Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
| | - Luke P Lee
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
| | - Jianhua Qin
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Huang H, Lv Y, Chen Q, Huang X, Qin J, Liu Y, Liao Q, Xing X, Chen L, Liu Q, Li S, Long Z, Wang Q, Chen W, Wei Q, Hou M, Hu Q, Xiao Y. Empirical analysis of lead neurotoxicity mode of action and its application in health risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118708. [PMID: 38493858 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The mode of action (MOA) framework is proposed to inform a biological link between chemical exposures and adverse health effects. Despite a significant increase in knowledge and awareness, the application of MOA in human health risk assessment (RA) remains limited. This study aims to discuss the adoption of MOA for health RA within a regulatory context, taking our previously proposed but not yet validated MOA for lead neurotoxicity as an example. We first conducted a quantitative weight of evidence (qWOE) assessment, which revealed that the MOA has a moderate confidence. Then, targeted bioassays were performed within an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model to quantitatively validate the scientific validity of key events (KEs) in terms of essentiality and concordance of empirical support (dose/temporal concordance), which increases confidence in utilizing the MOA for RA. Building upon the quantitative validation data, we further conducted benchmark dose (BMD) analysis to map dose-response relationships for the critical toxicity pathways, and the lower limit of BMD at a 5% response (BMDL5) was identified as the point of departure (POD) value for adverse health effects. Notably, perturbation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) signaling pathway exhibited the lowest POD value, measured at 0.0062 μM. Considering bioavailability, we further calculated a provisional health-based guidance value (HBGV) for children's lead intake, determining it to be 2.56 μg/day. Finally, the health risk associated with the HBGV was assessed using the hazard quotient (HQ) approach, which indicated that the HBGV established in this study is a relative safe reference value for lead intake. In summary, our study described the procedure for utilizing MOA in health RA and set an example for MOA-based human health risk regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hehai Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Occupational Health, Public Health Service Center, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518126, China
| | - Yanrong Lv
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qingfei Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaowei Huang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jingyao Qin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qilong Liao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiumei Xing
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shuangqi Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zihao Long
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qing Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition, and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Mengjun Hou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition, and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qiansheng Hu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yongmei Xiao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition, and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Korszun-Karbowniczak J, Krysiak ZJ, Saluk J, Niemcewicz M, Zdanowski R. The Progress in Molecular Transport and Therapeutic Development in Human Blood-Brain Barrier Models in Neurological Disorders. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:34. [PMID: 38627312 PMCID: PMC11021242 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system (CNS). Depending on its permeability, certain substances can penetrate the brain, while others are restricted in their passage. Therefore, the knowledge about BBB structure and function is essential for understanding physiological and pathological brain processes. Consequently, the functional models can serve as a key to help reveal this unknown. There are many in vitro models available to study molecular mechanisms that occur in the barrier. Brain endothelial cells grown in culture are commonly used to modeling the BBB. Current BBB platforms include: monolayer platforms, transwell, matrigel, spheroidal, and tissue-on-chip models. In this paper, the BBB structure, molecular characteristic, as well as its dysfunctions as a consequence of aging, neurodegeneration, or under hypoxia and neurotoxic conditions are presented. Furthermore, the current modelling strategies that can be used to study BBB for the purpose of further drugs development that may reach CNS are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Korszun-Karbowniczak
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine National Research Institute, 128 Szaserów Street, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland
- BioMedChem Doctoral School of the University of Lodz and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 21/23 Matejki Street, 90-237, Lodz, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Joanna Krysiak
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine National Research Institute, 128 Szaserów Street, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Joanna Saluk
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lodz, 68 Narutowicza Street, 90-136, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Niemcewicz
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 68 Narutowicza Street, 90-136, Lodz, Poland
| | - Robert Zdanowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine National Research Institute, 128 Szaserów Street, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland
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Cosentino A, Agafonova A, Modafferi S, Trovato Salinaro A, Scuto M, Maiolino L, Fritsch T, Calabrese EJ, Lupo G, Anfuso CD, Calabrese V. Blood-Labyrinth Barrier in Health and Diseases: Effect of Hormetic Nutrients. Antioxid Redox Signal 2024; 40:542-563. [PMID: 37565276 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Significance: The stria vascularis, located in the inner ear, consists of three layers, one of which is the blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB). It is formed by endothelial cells, sealed together to prevent the passage of toxic substances from the blood to the inner ear, by pericytes and perivascular-resident macrophage-like melanocyte. Recent Advances: There are various causes that lead to hearing loss, and among these are noise-induced and autoimmune hearing loss, ear disorders related to ototoxic medication, Ménière's disease, and age-related hearing loss. For all of these, major therapeutic interventions include drug-loaded nanoparticles, via intratympanic or intracochlear delivery. Critical Issues: Since many pathologies associated with hearing loss are characterized by a weakening of the BLB, in this review, the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to damage of BLB cellular components have been discussed. In addition, insight into the role of hormetic nutrients against hearing loss pathology is proposed. Future Directions: BLB cellular components of neurovascular cochlear unit play important physiological roles, owing to their impermeable function against all ototoxic substances that can induce damage. Studies are needed to investigate the cross talk occurring between these cellular components to exploit their possible role as novel targets for therapeutic interventions that may unravel future path based on the use of hormetic nutrients. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 40, 542-563.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cosentino
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aleksandra Agafonova
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sergio Modafferi
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Angela Trovato Salinaro
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Scuto
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luigi Maiolino
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gabriella Lupo
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vittorio Calabrese
- Section of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine; Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia"; University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Koh I, Hagiwara M. Modular tissue-in-a-CUBE platform to model blood-brain barrier (BBB) and brain interaction. Commun Biol 2024; 7:177. [PMID: 38418614 PMCID: PMC10901775 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05857-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
With the advent of increasingly sophisticated organoids, there is growing demand for technology to replicate the interactions between multiple tissues or organs. This is challenging to achieve, however, due to the varying culture conditions of the different cell types that make up each tissue. Current methods often require complicated microfluidic setups, but fragile tissue samples tend not to fare well with rough handling. Furthermore, the more complicated the human system to be replicated, the more difficult the model becomes to operate. Here, we present the development of a multi-tissue chip platform that takes advantage of the modularity and convenient handling ability of a CUBE device. We first developed a blood-brain barrier-in-a-CUBE by layering astrocytes, pericytes, and brain microvascular endothelial cells in the CUBE, and confirmed the expression and function of important tight junction and transporter proteins in the blood-brain barrier model. Then, we demonstrated the application of integrating Tissue-in-a-CUBE with a chip in simulating the in vitro testing of the permeability of a drug through the blood-brain barrier to the brain and its effect on treating the glioblastoma brain cancer model. We anticipate that this platform can be adapted for use with organoids to build complex human systems in vitro by the combination of multiple simple CUBE units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Koh
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Masaya Hagiwara
- Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
- Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
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9
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Stroh JN, Foreman B, Bennett TD, Briggs JK, Park S, Albers DJ. Intracranial pressure-flow relationships in traumatic brain injury patients expose gaps in the tenets of models and pressure-oriented management. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.17.24301445. [PMID: 38293069 PMCID: PMC10827274 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.17.24301445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Background The protocols and therapeutic guidance established for treating traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in neurointensive care focus on managing cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain tissue oxygenation based on pressure signals. The decision support process relies on assumed relationships between cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and blood flow, pressure-flow relationships (PFRs), and shares this framework of assumptions with mathematical intracranial hemodynamic models. These foundational assumptions are difficult to verify, and their violation can impact clinical decision-making and model validity. Method A hypothesis- and model-driven method for verifying and understanding the foundational intracranial hemodynamic PFRs is developed and applied to a novel multi-modality monitoring dataset. Results Model analysis of joint observations of CPP and CBF validates the standard PFR when autoregulatory processes are impaired as well as unmodelable cases dominated by autoregulation. However, it also identifies a dynamical regime -or behavior pattern- where the PFR assumptions are wrong in a precise, data-inferable way due to negative CPP-CBF coordination over long timescales. This regime is of both clinical and research interest: its dynamics are modelable under modified assumptions while its causal direction and mechanistic pathway remain unclear. Conclusions Motivated by the understanding of mathematical physiology, the validity of the standard PFR can be assessed a) directly by analyzing pressure reactivity and mean flow indices (PRx and Mx) or b) indirectly through the relationship between CBF and other clinical observables. This approach could potentially help personalize TBI care by considering intracranial pressure and CPP in relation to other data, particularly CBF. The analysis suggests a threshold using clinical indices of autoregulation jointly generalizes independently set indicators to assess CA functionality. These results support the use of increasingly data-rich environments to develop more robust hybrid physiological-machine learning models.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Stroh
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver |Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Brandon Foreman
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Gardner Neuroscience Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tellen D Bennett
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Pediatric Intensive Care, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer K Briggs
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver |Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Soojin Park
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David J Albers
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver |Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Salmina AB, Alexandrova OP, Averchuk AS, Korsakova SA, Saridis MR, Illarioshkin SN, Yurchenko SO. Current progress and challenges in the development of brain tissue models: How to grow up the changeable brain in vitro? J Tissue Eng 2024; 15:20417314241235527. [PMID: 38516227 PMCID: PMC10956167 DOI: 10.1177/20417314241235527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro modeling of brain tissue is a promising but not yet resolved problem in modern neurobiology and neuropharmacology. Complexity of the brain structure and diversity of cell-to-cell communication in (patho)physiological conditions make this task almost unachievable. However, establishment of novel in vitro brain models would ultimately lead to better understanding of development-associated or experience-driven brain plasticity, designing efficient approaches to restore aberrant brain functioning. The main goal of this review is to summarize the available data on methodological approaches that are currently in use, and to identify the most prospective trends in development of neurovascular unit, blood-brain barrier, blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and neurogenic niche in vitro models. The manuscript focuses on the regulation of adult neurogenesis, cerebral microcirculation and fluids dynamics that should be reproduced in the in vitro 4D models to mimic brain development and its alterations in brain pathology. We discuss approaches that are critical for studying brain plasticity, deciphering the individual person-specific trajectory of brain development and aging, and testing new drug candidates in the in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla B Salmina
- Brain Science Institute, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga P Alexandrova
- Brain Science Institute, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton S Averchuk
- Brain Science Institute, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia
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11
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Badawi AH, Mohamad NA, Stanslas J, Kirby BP, Neela VK, Ramasamy R, Basri H. In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Models for Neuroinfectious Diseases: A Narrative Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1344-1373. [PMID: 38073104 PMCID: PMC11092920 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231207114346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex, dynamic, and adaptable barrier between the peripheral blood system and the central nervous system. While this barrier protects the brain and spinal cord from inflammation and infection, it prevents most drugs from reaching the brain tissue. With the expanding interest in the pathophysiology of BBB, the development of in vitro BBB models has dramatically evolved. However, due to the lack of a standard model, a range of experimental protocols, BBB-phenotype markers, and permeability flux markers was utilized to construct in vitro BBB models. Several neuroinfectious diseases are associated with BBB dysfunction. To conduct neuroinfectious disease research effectively, there stems a need to design representative in vitro human BBB models that mimic the BBB's functional and molecular properties. The highest necessity is for an in vitro standardised BBB model that accurately represents all the complexities of an intact brain barrier. Thus, this in-depth review aims to describe the optimization and validation parameters for building BBB models and to discuss previous research on neuroinfectious diseases that have utilized in vitro BBB models. The findings in this review may serve as a basis for more efficient optimisation, validation, and maintenance of a structurally- and functionally intact BBB model, particularly for future studies on neuroinfectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Hussein Badawi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nur Afiqah Mohamad
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Centre for Foundation Studies, Lincoln University College, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Johnson Stanslas
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Brian Patrick Kirby
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vasantha Kumari Neela
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rajesh Ramasamy
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hamidon Basri
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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12
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Jamil Al-Obaidi MM, Desa MNM. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the disruption of the blood-brain barrier in parasitic infections. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102. [PMID: 38284852 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Parasites have a significant impact on the neurological, cognitive, and mental well-being of humans, with a global population of over 1 billion individuals affected. The pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) injury in parasitic diseases remains limited, and prevention and control of parasitic CNS infections remain significant areas of research. Parasites, encompassing both unicellular and multicellular organisms, have intricate life cycles and possess the ability to infect a diverse range of hosts, including the human population. Parasitic illnesses that impact the central and peripheral nervous systems are a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in low- to middle-income nations. The precise pathways through which neurotropic parasites infiltrate the CNS by crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cause neurological harm remain incompletely understood. Investigating brain infections caused by parasites is closely linked to studying neuroinflammation and cerebral impairment. The exact molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in this process remain incomplete, but understanding the exact mechanisms could provide insight into their pathogenesis and potentially reveal novel therapeutic targets. This review paper explores the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of neurological disorders caused by parasites, including parasite-derived elements, host immune responses, and modifications in tight junctions (TJs) proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen M Jamil Al-Obaidi
- University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Rustaq College of Education, Science Department (Biology Unit), Rrustaq, Sultante of Oman
| | - Mohd Nasir Mohd Desa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
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13
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Wevers NR, De Vries HE. Microfluidic models of the neurovascular unit: a translational view. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:86. [PMID: 38008744 PMCID: PMC10680291 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The vasculature of the brain consists of specialized endothelial cells that form a blood-brain barrier (BBB). This barrier, in conjunction with supporting cell types, forms the neurovascular unit (NVU). The NVU restricts the passage of certain substances from the bloodstream while selectively permitting essential nutrients and molecules to enter the brain. This protective role is crucial for optimal brain function, but presents a significant obstacle in treating neurological conditions, necessitating chemical modifications or advanced drug delivery methods for most drugs to cross the NVU. A deeper understanding of NVU in health and disease will aid in the identification of new therapeutic targets and drug delivery strategies for improved treatment of neurological disorders.To achieve this goal, we need models that reflect the human BBB and NVU in health and disease. Although animal models of the brain's vasculature have proven valuable, they are often of limited translational relevance due to interspecies differences or inability to faithfully mimic human disease conditions. For this reason, human in vitro models are essential to improve our understanding of the brain's vasculature under healthy and diseased conditions. This review delves into the advancements in in vitro modeling of the BBB and NVU, with a particular focus on microfluidic models. After providing a historical overview of the field, we shift our focus to recent developments, offering insights into the latest achievements and their associated constraints. We briefly examine the importance of chip materials and methods to facilitate fluid flow, emphasizing their critical roles in achieving the necessary throughput for the integration of microfluidic models into routine experimentation. Subsequently, we highlight the recent strides made in enhancing the biological complexity of microfluidic NVU models and propose recommendations for elevating the biological relevance of future iterations.Importantly, the NVU is an intricate structure and it is improbable that any model will fully encompass all its aspects. Fit-for-purpose models offer a valuable compromise between physiological relevance and ease-of-use and hold the future of NVU modeling: as simple as possible, as complex as needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke R Wevers
- MIMETAS BV, De Limes 7, Oegstgeest, 2342 DH, The Netherlands.
| | - Helga E De Vries
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience - Neuroinfection and Neuroinflammation, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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14
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Ligocki AP, Vinson AV, Yachnis AT, Dunn WA, Smith DE, Scott EA, Alvarez-Castanon JV, Montalvo DEB, Frisone OG, Brown GAJ, Pessa JE, Scott EW. Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Extends to Peripheral Nerves. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.20.567884. [PMID: 38045235 PMCID: PMC10690169 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.20.567884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an aqueous solution responsible for nutrient delivery and waste removal for the central nervous system (CNS). The three-layer meningeal coverings of the CNS support CSF flow. Peripheral nerves have an analogous three-layer covering consisting of the epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium. Peripheral axons, located in the inner endoneurium, are bathed in "endoneurial fluid" similar to CSF but of undefined origin. CSF flow in the peripheral nervous system has not been demonstrated. Here we show CSF flow extends beyond the CNS to peripheral nerves in a contiguous flowing system. Utilizing gold nanoparticles, we identified that CSF is continuous with the endoneurial fluid and reveal the endoneurial space as the likely site of CSF flow in the periphery. Nanogold distribution along entire peripheral nerves and within their axoplasm suggests CSF plays a role in nutrient delivery and waste clearance, fundamental aspects of peripheral nerve health and disease. One Sentence Summary Cerebrospinal fluid unites the nervous system by extending beyond the central nervous system into peripheral nerves.
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15
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Zhong R, Xu Y, Williams JW, Li L. Loss of TREM2 exacerbates parenchymal amyloid pathology but diminishes CAA in Tg-SwDI mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.04.565659. [PMID: 37961542 PMCID: PMC10635150 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.04.565659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and it is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2) as one of the major risk factors for AD. TREM2 is a surface receptor expressed on microglia and largely mediates microglial functions and immune homeostasis in the brain. The functions of TREM2 in AD pathogenesis, including in the formation of the key pathology parenchymal amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, have been investigated by introducing Trem2 deficiency in AD mouse models. However, the role of TREM2 in cerebrovascular amyloidosis, in particular cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) remains unexplored. CAA features Aβ deposition along the cerebral vessels, signifying an intersection between AD and vascular dysfunction. Using a well-characterized CAA-prone, transgenic mouse model of AD, Tg-SwDI (SwDI), we found that loss of TREM2 led to a marked increase in overall Aβ load in the brain, but a dramatic decrease in CAA in microvessel-rich regions, along with reduced microglial association with CAA. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that in the absence of Trem2 , microglia were activated but trapped in transition to the fully reactive state. Like microglia, perivascular macrophages were activated with upregulation of cell junction related pathways in Trem2 -deficient SwDI mice. In addition, vascular mural cells and astrocytes exhibited distinct responses to Trem2 deficiency, contributing to the pathological changes in the brain of Trem2 -null SwDI mice. Our study provides the first evidence that TREM2 differentially modulates parenchymal and vascular Aβ pathologies, which may have significant implications for both TREM2- and Aβ-targeting therapies for AD.
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16
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Sharma S, Chepurna O, Sun T. Drug resistance in glioblastoma: from chemo- to immunotherapy. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:688-708. [PMID: 38239396 PMCID: PMC10792484 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
As the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor in adults, glioblastoma is estimated to end over 10,000 lives each year in the United States alone. Stand treatment for glioblastoma, including surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy (i.e., Temozolomide), has been largely unchanged since early 2000. Cancer immunotherapy has significantly shifted the paradigm of cancer management in the past decade with various degrees of success in treating many hematopoietic cancers and some solid tumors, such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little progress has been made in the field of neuro-oncology, especially in the application of immunotherapy to glioblastoma treatment. In this review, we attempted to summarize the common drug resistance mechanisms in glioblastoma from Temozolomide to immunotherapy. Our intent is not to repeat the well-known difficulty in the area of neuro-oncology, such as the blood-brain barrier, but to provide some fresh insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for resistance by summarizing some of the most recent literature. Through this review, we also hope to share some new ideas for improving the immunotherapy outcome of glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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17
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Wang S, Bai L, Hu X, Yao S, Hao Z, Zhou J, Li X, Lu H, He J, Wang L, Li D. 3D Bioprinting of Neurovascular Tissue Modeling with Collagen-Based Low-Viscosity Composites. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300004. [PMID: 37264745 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In vitro neurovascular unit (NVU) models are valuable for investigating brain functions and developing drugs. However, it remains challenging to recapitulate the native architectural features and ultra-soft extracellular matrix (ECM) properties of the natural NVU. Cell-laden bioprinting is promising to prepare complex living tissues, but hard to balance the fidelity and cell growth. This study proposes a novel two-stage methodology for biomanufacturing functional 3D neurovascular constructs in vitro with low modulus of ECM. At the shaping stage, a low-viscosity alginate/collagen is printed through an embedded approach; at the culturing stage, the alginate is removed through targeted lysing. The low-viscosity and rapid crosslinking properties provide a printing resolution of ≈10 µm, and the lysis processing can decrease the hydrogels' modulus to ≈1 kPa and adjust the porosity of the microstructure, providing cells with an environment closing to the brain ECM. A 3D hollow coaxial neurovascular model is fabricated, in which the endothelial cells has expressed tight junction proteins and shown selective permeability, and the astrocytes outside of the endothelial layer are found to spread out with branches and directly interact with endothelial cells. The present study offers a promising modeling method for better understanding the NVU function and screening neuro-drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Luge Bai
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Hu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Siqi Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Zhiyan Hao
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - JiaJia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Xiao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Haixia Lu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Department of Human Anatomy & Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jiankang He
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Dichen Li
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing System Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Medical Devices, Xi'an, 710054, China
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18
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Wu DD, Salah YA, Ngowi EE, Zhang YX, Khattak S, Khan NH, Wang Y, Li T, Guo ZH, Wang YM, Ji XY. Nanotechnology prospects in brain therapeutics concerning gene-targeting and nose-to-brain administration. iScience 2023; 26:107321. [PMID: 37554468 PMCID: PMC10405259 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases are one of the most pressing issues in modern times worldwide. It thus possesses explicit attention from researchers and medical health providers to guard public health against such an expanding threat. Various treatment modalities have been developed in a remarkably short time but, unfortunately, have yet to lead to the wished-for efficacy or the sought-after clinical improvement. The main hurdle in delivering therapeutics to the brain has always been the blood-brain barrier which still represents an elusive area with lots of mysteries yet to be solved. Meanwhile, nanotechnology has emerged as an optimistic platform that is potentially holding the answer to many of our questions on how to deliver drugs and treat CNS disorders using novel technologies rather than the unsatisfying conventional old methods. Nanocarriers can be engineered in a way that is capable of delivering a certain therapeutic cargo to a specific target tissue. Adding to this mind-blowing nanotechnology, the revolutionizing gene-altering biologics can have the best of both worlds, and pave the way for the long-awaited cure to many diseases, among those diseases thus far are Alzheimer's disease (AD), brain tumors (glioma and glioblastoma), Down syndrome, stroke, and even cases with HIV. The review herein collects the studies that tested the mixture of both sciences, nanotechnology, and epigenetics, in the context of brain therapeutics using three main categories of gene-altering molecules (siRNA, miRNA, and CRISPR) with a special focus on the advancements regarding the new favorite, intranasal route of administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Dong Wu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Yasmine Ahmed Salah
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11517, Egypt
| | - Ebenezeri Erasto Ngowi
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam 2329, Tanzania
| | - Yan-Xia Zhang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Saadullah Khattak
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Nazeer Hussain Khan
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Tao Li
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Zi-Hua Guo
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Department of Neurology, Kaifeng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475000, China
| | - Yan-Mei Wang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Xin-Ying Ji
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Infection and Biological Safety, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
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19
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Brandl S, Reindl M. Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown in Neuroinflammation: Current In Vitro Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12699. [PMID: 37628879 PMCID: PMC10454051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier, which is formed by tightly interconnected microvascular endothelial cells, separates the brain from the peripheral circulation. Together with other central nervous system-resident cell types, including pericytes and astrocytes, the blood-brain barrier forms the neurovascular unit. Upon neuroinflammation, this barrier becomes leaky, allowing molecules and cells to enter the brain and to potentially harm the tissue of the central nervous system. Despite the significance of animal models in research, they may not always adequately reflect human pathophysiology. Therefore, human models are needed. This review will provide an overview of the blood-brain barrier in terms of both health and disease. It will describe all key elements of the in vitro models and will explore how different compositions can be utilized to effectively model a variety of neuroinflammatory conditions. Furthermore, it will explore the existing types of models that are used in basic research to study the respective pathologies thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Reindl
- Clinical Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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20
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Kaya S, Callan B, Hawthorne S. Non-Invasive, Targeted Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery across a Novel Human BBB Model. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051382. [PMID: 37242623 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly sophisticated system with the ability to regulate compounds transporting through the barrier and reaching the central nervous system (CNS). The BBB protects the CNS from toxins and pathogens but can cause major issues when developing novel therapeutics to treat neurological disorders. PLGA nanoparticles have been developed to successfully encapsulate large hydrophilic compounds for drug delivery. Within this paper, we discuss the encapsulation of a model compound Fitc-dextran, a large molecular weight (70 kDa), hydrophilic compound, with over 60% encapsulation efficiency (EE) within a PLGA nanoparticle (NP). The NP surface was chemically modified with DAS peptide, a ligand that we designed which has an affinity for nicotinic receptors, specifically alpha 7 nicotinic receptors, found on the surface of brain endothelial cells. The attachment of DAS transports the NP across the BBB by receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT). Assessment of the delivery efficacy of the DAS-conjugated Fitc-dextran-loaded PLGA NP was studied in vitro using our optimal triculture in vitro BBB model, which successfully replicates the in vivo BBB environment, producing high TEER (≥230 ) and high expression of ZO1 protein. Utilising our optimal BBB model, we successfully transported fourteen times the concentration of DAS-Fitc-dextran-PLGA NP compared to non-conjugated Fitc-dextran-PLGA NP. Our novel in vitro model is a viable method of high-throughput screening of potential therapeutic delivery systems to the CNS, such as our receptor-targeted DAS ligand-conjugated NP, whereby only lead therapeutic compounds will progress to in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shona Kaya
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, N. Ireland BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Bridgeen Callan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, N. Ireland BT52 1SA, UK
| | - Susan Hawthorne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, N. Ireland BT52 1SA, UK
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21
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Qiao R, Fu C, Forgham H, Javed I, Huang X, Zhu J, Whittaker AK, Davis TP. Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Brain Imaging and Drug Delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114822. [PMID: 37086918 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) disorders affect as many as 1.5 billion people globally. The limited delivery of most imaging and therapeutic agents into the brain is a major challenge for treatment of CNS disorders. With the advent of nanotechnologies, controlled delivery of drugs with nanoparticles holds great promise in CNS disorders for overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and improving delivery efficacy. In recent years, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) have stood out as a promising theranostic nanoplatform for brain imaging and drug delivery as they possess unique physical properties and biodegradable characteristics. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in MIONP-based platforms as imaging and drug delivery agents for brain diseases. We firstly introduce the methods of synthesis and surface functionalization of MIONPs with emphasis on the inclusion of biocompatible polymers that allow for the addition of tailored physicochemical properties. We then discuss the recent advances in in vivo imaging and drug delivery applications using MIONPs. Finally, we present a perspective on the remaining challenges and possible future directions for MIONP-based brain delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Qiao
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Changkui Fu
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Helen Forgham
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ibrahim Javed
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Xumin Huang
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jiayuan Zhu
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Andrew K Whittaker
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Thomas P Davis
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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22
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Wei W, Cardes F, Hierlemann A, Modena MM. 3D In Vitro Blood-Brain-Barrier Model for Investigating Barrier Insults. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205752. [PMID: 36782313 PMCID: PMC10104638 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption has been associated with a variety of central-nervous-system diseases. In vitro BBB models enable to investigate how the barrier reacts to external injury events, commonly referred to as insults. Here, a human-cell-based BBB platform with integrated, transparent electrodes to monitor barrier tightness in real time at high resolution is presented. The BBB model includes human cerebral endothelial cells and primary pericytes and astrocytes in a 3D arrangement within a pump-free, open-microfluidic platform. With this platform, this study demonstrates that oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), which mimics the characteristics of an ischemic insult, induces a rapid remodeling of the cellular actin structures and subsequent morphological changes in the endothelial cells. High-resolution live imaging shows the formation of large actin stress-fiber bundles in the endothelial layer during OGD application, which ultimately leads to cell shrinkage and barrier breakage. Simultaneous electrical measurements evidence a rapid decrease of the barrier electrical resistance before the appearance of stress fibers, which indicates that the barrier function is compromised already before the appearance of drastic morphological changes. The results demonstrate that the BBB platform recapitulates the main barrier functions in vitro and can be used to investigate rapid reorganization of the BBB upon application of external stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringBio Engineering LaboratoryBasel4058Switzerland
| | - Fernando Cardes
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringBio Engineering LaboratoryBasel4058Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringBio Engineering LaboratoryBasel4058Switzerland
| | - Mario M. Modena
- ETH ZürichDepartment of Biosystems Science and EngineeringBio Engineering LaboratoryBasel4058Switzerland
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23
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Gonzales-Aloy E, Ahmed-Cox A, Tsoli M, Ziegler DS, Kavallaris M. From cells to organoids: The evolution of blood-brain barrier technology for modelling drug delivery in brain cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 196:114777. [PMID: 36931346 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Brain cancer remains the deadliest cancer. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is impenetrable to most drugs and is a complex 3D network of multiple cell types including endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes. In brain cancers, the BBB becomes disrupted during tumor progression and forms the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB). To advance therapeutic development, there is a critical need for physiologically relevant BBB in vitro models. 3D cell systems are emerging as valuable preclinical models to accelerate discoveries for diseases. Given the versatility and capability of 3D cell models, their potential for modelling the BBB and BBTB is reviewed. Technological advances of BBB models and challenges of in vitro modelling the BBTB, and application of these models as tools for assessing therapeutics and nano drug delivery, are discussed. Quantitative, in vitro BBB models that are predictive of effective brain cancer therapies will be invaluable for accelerating advancing new treatments to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estrella Gonzales-Aloy
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aria Ahmed-Cox
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainright Analytical Center, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Tsoli
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David S Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; Kids Cancer Center, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; UNSW RNA Institute, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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24
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Khamis ZI, Sarker DB, Xue Y, Al-Akkary N, James VD, Zeng C, Li Y, Sang QXA. Modeling Human Brain Tumors and the Microenvironment Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041253. [PMID: 36831595 PMCID: PMC9954701 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain cancer is a group of diverse and rapidly growing malignancies that originate in the central nervous system (CNS) and have a poor prognosis. The complexity of brain structure and function makes brain cancer modeling extremely difficult, limiting pathological studies and therapeutic developments. Advancements in human pluripotent stem cell technology have opened a window of opportunity for brain cancer modeling, providing a wealth of customizable methods to simulate the disease in vitro. This is achieved with the advent of genome editing and genetic engineering technologies that can simulate germline and somatic mutations found in human brain tumors. This review investigates induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based approaches to model human brain cancer. The applications of iPSCs as renewable sources of individual brain cell types, brain organoids, blood-brain barrier (BBB), and brain tumor models are discussed. The brain tumor models reviewed are glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. The iPSC-derived isogenic cells and three-dimensional (3D) brain cancer organoids combined with patient-derived xenografts will enhance future compound screening and drug development for these deadly human brain cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahraa I. Khamis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
- High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Drishty B. Sarker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Nancy Al-Akkary
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Viviana D. James
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Changchun Zeng
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
- High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-850-644-8683; Fax: +1-850-644-8281
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25
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Guarino V, Zizzari A, Bianco M, Gigli G, Moroni L, Arima V. Advancements in modelling human blood brain-barrier on a chip. Biofabrication 2023; 15. [PMID: 36689766 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/acb571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The human Blood Brain Barrier (hBBB) is a complex cellular architecture separating the blood from the brain parenchyma. Its integrity and perfect functionality are essential for preventing neurotoxic plasma components and pathogens enter the brain. Although vital for preserving the correct brain activity, the low permeability of hBBB represents a huge impediment to treat mental and neurological disorders or to address brain tumors. Indeed, the vast majority of potential drug treatments are unable to reach the brain crossing the hBBB. On the other hand, hBBB integrity can be damaged or its permeability increase as a result of infections or in presence of neurodegenerative diseases. Currentin vitrosystems andin vivoanimal models used to study the molecular/drug transport mechanism through the hBBB have several intrinsic limitations that are difficult to overcome. In this scenario, Organ-on-Chip (OoC) models based on microfluidic technologies are considered promising innovative platforms that combine the handiness of anin vitromodel with the complexity of a living organ, while reducing time and costs. In this review, we focus on recent advances in OoCs for developing hBBB models, with the aim of providing the reader with a critical overview of the main guidelines to design and manufacture a hBBB-on-chip, whose compartments need to mimic the 'blood side' and 'brain side' of the barrier, to choose the cells types that are both representative and convenient, and to adequately evaluate the barrier integrity, stability, and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vita Guarino
- Department of Mathematics and Physics 'E. De Giorgi', Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy.,CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Monica Bianco
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- Department of Mathematics and Physics 'E. De Giorgi', Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy.,CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, 73100 Lecce, Italy.,Department of complex tissue regeneration, Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, 6229ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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26
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Li GS, Chen GH, Wang KH, Wang XX, Hu XS, Wei B, Hu Y. Neurovascular Unit Compensation from Adjacent Level May Contribute to Spontaneous Functional Recovery in Experimental Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043408. [PMID: 36834841 PMCID: PMC9962900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The progression and remission of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) are quite unpredictable due to the ambiguous pathomechanisms. Spontaneous functional recovery (SFR) has been commonly implicated in the natural course of incomplete acute spinal cord injury (SCI), while the evidence and underlying pathomechanisms of neurovascular unit (NVU) compensation involved in SFR remains poorly understood in CSM. In this study, we investigate whether compensatory change of NVU, in particular in the adjacent level of the compressive epicenter, is involved in the natural course of SFR, using an established experimental CSM model. Chronic compression was created by an expandable water-absorbing polyurethane polymer at C5 level. Neurological function was dynamically assessed by BBB scoring and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) up to 2 months. (Ultra)pathological features of NVUs were presented by histopathological and TEM examination. Quantitative analysis of regional vascular profile area/number (RVPA/RVPN) and neuroglial cells numbers were based on the specific EBA immunoreactivity and neuroglial biomarkers, respectively. Functional integrity of blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) was detected by Evan blue extravasation test. Although destruction of the NVU, including disruption of the BSCB, neuronal degeneration and axon demyelination, as well as dramatic neuroglia reaction, were found in the compressive epicenter and spontaneous locomotor and sensory function recovery were verified in the modeling rats. In particular, restoration of BSCB permeability and an evident increase in RVPA with wrapping proliferated astrocytic endfeet in gray matter and neuron survival and synaptic plasticity were confirmed in the adjacent level. TEM findings also proved ultrastructural restoration of the NVU. Thus, NVU compensation changes in the adjacent level may be one of the essential pathomechanisms of SFR in CSM, which could be a promising endogenous target for neurorestoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Sheng Li
- Spinal Division of Orthopedic and Traumatology Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524002, China
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guang-Hua Chen
- Spinal Division of Orthopedic and Traumatology Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524002, China
- Correspondence: (G.-H.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Kang-Heng Wang
- Spinal Division of Orthopedic and Traumatology Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524002, China
| | - Xu-Xiang Wang
- Spinal Division of Orthopedic and Traumatology Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524002, China
| | - Xiao-Song Hu
- Spinal Division of Orthopedic and Traumatology Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524002, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Spinal Division of Orthopedic and Traumatology Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524002, China
| | - Yong Hu
- Spinal Division of Orthopedic and Traumatology Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524002, China
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (G.-H.C.); (Y.H.)
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27
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Girard SD, Julien-Gau I, Molino Y, Combes BF, Greetham L, Khrestchatisky M, Nivet E. High and low permeability of human pluripotent stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier models depend on epithelial or endothelial features. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22770. [PMID: 36688807 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201422r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The search for reliable human blood-brain barrier (BBB) models represents a challenge for the development/testing of strategies aiming to enhance brain delivery of drugs. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have raised hopes in the development of predictive BBB models. Differentiating strategies are thus required to generate endothelial cells (ECs), a major component of the BBB. Several hiPSC-based protocols have reported the generation of in vitro models with significant differences in barrier properties. We studied in depth the properties of iPSCs byproducts from two protocols that have been established to yield these in vitro barrier models. Our analysis/study reveals that iPSCs derivatives endowed with EC features yield high permeability models while the cells that exhibit outstanding barrier properties show principally epithelial cell-like (EpC) features. We found that models containing EpC-like cells express tight junction proteins, transporters/efflux pumps and display a high functional tightness with very low permeability, which are features commonly shared between BBB and epithelial barriers. Our study demonstrates that hiPSC-based BBB models need extensive characterization beforehand and that a reliable human BBB model containing EC-like cells and displaying low permeability is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane D Girard
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Faculty of Medicine, VECT-HORUS SAS, Marseille, France
| | | | - Yves Molino
- Faculty of Medicine, VECT-HORUS SAS, Marseille, France
| | | | - Louise Greetham
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Michel Khrestchatisky
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuel Nivet
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
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28
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Experimental Models of In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier for CNS Drug Delivery: An Evolutionary Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032710. [PMID: 36769032 PMCID: PMC9916529 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) disorders represent one of the leading causes of global health burden. Nonetheless, new therapies approved against these disorders are among the lowest compared to their counterparts. The absence of reliable and efficient in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) models resembling in vivo barrier properties stands out as a significant roadblock in developing successful therapy for CNS disorders. Therefore, advancement in the creation of robust and sensitive in vitro BBB models for drug screening might allow us to expedite neurological drug development. This review discusses the major in vitro BBB models developed as of now for exploring the barrier properties of the cerebral vasculature. Our main focus is describing existing in vitro models, including the 2D transwell models covering both single-layer and co-culture models, 3D organoid models, and microfluidic models with their construction, permeability measurement, applications, and limitations. Although microfluidic models are better at recapitulating the in vivo properties of BBB than other models, significant gaps still exist for their use in predicting the performance of neurotherapeutics. However, this comprehensive account of in vitro BBB models can be useful for researchers to create improved models in the future.
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29
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Hanafy AS, Steinlein P, Pitsch J, Silva MH, Vana N, Becker AJ, Graham ME, Schoch S, Lamprecht A, Dietrich D. Subcellular analysis of blood-brain barrier function by micro-impalement of vessels in acute brain slices. Nat Commun 2023; 14:481. [PMID: 36717572 PMCID: PMC9886996 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36070-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a tightly and actively regulated vascular barrier. Answering fundamental biological and translational questions about the BBB with currently available approaches is hampered by a trade-off between accessibility and biological validity. We report an approach combining micropipette-based local perfusion of capillaries in acute brain slices with multiphoton microscopy. Micro-perfusion offers control over the luminal solution and allows application of molecules and drug delivery systems, whereas the bath solution defines the extracellular milieu in the brain parenchyma. Here we show, that this combination allows monitoring of BBB transport at the cellular level, visualization of BBB permeation of cells and molecules in real-time and resolves subcellular details of the neurovascular unit. In combination with electrophysiology, it permits comparison of drug effects on neuronal activity following luminal versus parenchymal application. We further apply micro-perfusion to the human and mouse BBB of epileptic hippocampi highlighting its utility for translational research and analysis of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Sayed Hanafy
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pia Steinlein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julika Pitsch
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Dept. of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mariella Hurtado Silva
- Synapse Proteomics, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Natascha Vana
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert J Becker
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Dept. of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mark Evan Graham
- Synapse Proteomics, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Dept. of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alf Lamprecht
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Dirk Dietrich
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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30
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Human mini-blood-brain barrier models for biomedical neuroscience research: a review. Biomater Res 2022; 26:82. [PMID: 36527159 PMCID: PMC9756735 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-022-00332-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The human blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a unique multicellular structure that is in critical demand for fundamental neuroscience studies and therapeutic evaluation. Despite substantial achievements in creating in vitro human BBB platforms, challenges in generating specifics of physiopathological relevance are viewed as impediments to the establishment of in vitro models. In this review, we provide insight into the development and deployment of in vitro BBB models that allow investigation of the physiology and pathology of neurological therapeutic avenues. First, we highlight the critical components, including cell sources, biomaterial glue collections, and engineering techniques to reconstruct a miniaturized human BBB. Second, we describe recent breakthroughs in human mini-BBBs for investigating biological mechanisms in neurology. Finally, we discuss the application of human mini-BBBs to medical approaches. This review provides strategies for understanding neurological diseases, a validation model for drug discovery, and a potential approach for generating personalized medicine.
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31
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Barberio C, Withers A, Mishra Y, Couraud PO, Romero IA, Weksler B, Owens RM. A human-derived neurovascular unit in vitro model to study the effects of cellular cross-talk and soluble factors on barrier integrity. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1065193. [PMID: 36545654 PMCID: PMC9762047 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1065193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts paracellular and transcellular diffusion of compounds and is part of a dynamic multicellular structure known as the "neurovascular unit" (NVU), which strictly regulates the brain homeostasis and microenvironment. Several neuropathological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease), are associated with BBB impairment yet the exact underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. In total, 90% of drugs that pass animal testing fail human clinical trials, in part due to inter-species discrepancies. Thus, in vitro human-based models of the NVU are essential to better understand BBB mechanisms; connecting its dysfunction to neuropathological conditions for more effective and improved therapeutic treatments. Herein, we developed a biomimetic tri-culture NVU in vitro model consisting of 3 human-derived cell lines: human cerebral micro-vascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), human 1321N1 (astrocyte) cells, and human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The cells were grown in Transwell hanging inserts in a variety of configurations and the optimal setup was found to be the comprehensive tri-culture model, where endothelial cells express typical markers of the BBB and contribute to enhancing neural cell viability and neurite outgrowth. The tri-culture configuration was found to exhibit the highest transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), suggesting that the cross-talk between astrocytes and neurons provides an important contribution to barrier integrity. Lastly, the model was validated upon exposure to several soluble factors [e.g., Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), sodium butyrate (NaB), and retinoic acid (RA)] known to affect BBB permeability and integrity. This in vitro biological model can be considered as a highly biomimetic recapitulation of the human NVU aiming to unravel brain pathophysiology mechanisms as well as improve testing and delivery of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Barberio
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aimee Withers
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Yash Mishra
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre-Olivier Couraud
- Institut Cochin, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 8104, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U567, Université René Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Ignacio A. Romero
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Babette Weksler
- Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Róisín M. Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Róisín M. Owens,
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32
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Yang Z, Liu X, Cribbin EM, Kim AM, Li JJ, Yong KT. Liver-on-a-chip: Considerations, advances, and beyond. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:061502. [PMID: 36389273 PMCID: PMC9646254 DOI: 10.1063/5.0106855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body with largest mass of glandular tissue. Modeling the liver has been challenging due to its variety of major functions, including processing nutrients and vitamins, detoxification, and regulating body metabolism. The intrinsic shortfalls of conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture methods for studying pharmacokinetics in parenchymal cells (hepatocytes) have contributed to suboptimal outcomes in clinical trials and drug development. This prompts the development of highly automated, biomimetic liver-on-a-chip (LOC) devices to simulate native liver structure and function, with the aid of recent progress in microfluidics. LOC offers a cost-effective and accurate model for pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity studies. This review provides a critical update on recent developments in designing LOCs and fabrication strategies. We highlight biomimetic design approaches for LOCs, including mimicking liver structure and function, and their diverse applications in areas such as drug screening, toxicity assessment, and real-time biosensing. We capture the newest ideas in the field to advance the field of LOCs and address current challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elise M. Cribbin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Alice M. Kim
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Jiao Jiao Li
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - Ken-Tye Yong
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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Mantecón-Oria M, Rivero MJ, Diban N, Urtiaga A. On the quest of reliable 3D dynamic in vitro blood-brain barrier models using polymer hollow fiber membranes: Pitfalls, progress, and future perspectives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1056162. [PMID: 36483778 PMCID: PMC9723404 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1056162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
With the increasing concern of neurodegenerative diseases, the development of new therapies and effective pharmaceuticals targeted to central nervous system (CNS) illnesses is crucial for ensuring social and economic sustainability in an ageing world. Unfortunately, many promising treatments at the initial stages of the pharmaceutical development process, that is at the in vitro screening stages, do not finally show the expected results at the clinical level due to their inability to cross the human blood-brain barrier (BBB), highlighting the inefficiency of in vitro BBB models to recapitulate the real functionality of the human BBB. In the last decades research has focused on the development of in vitro BBB models from basic 2D monolayer cultures to 3D cell co-cultures employing different system configurations. Particularly, the use of polymeric hollow fiber membranes (HFs) as scaffolds plays a key role in perfusing 3D dynamic in vitro BBB (DIV-BBB) models. Their incorporation into a perfusion bioreactor system may potentially enhance the vascularization and oxygenation of 3D cell cultures improving cell communication and the exchange of nutrients and metabolites through the microporous membranes. The quest for developing a benchmark 3D dynamic in vitro blood brain barrier model requires the critical assessment of the different aspects that limits the technology. This article will focus on identifying the advantages and main limitations of the HFs in terms of polymer materials, microscopic porous morphology, and other practical issues that play an important role to adequately mimic the physiological environment and recapitulate BBB architecture. Based on this study, we consider that future strategic advances of this technology to become fully implemented as a gold standard DIV-BBB model will require the exploration of novel polymers and/or composite materials, and the optimization of the morphology of the membranes towards thinner HFs (<50 μm) with higher porosities and surface pore sizes of 1-2 µm to facilitate the intercommunication via regulatory factors between the cell co-culture models of the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marián Mantecón-Oria
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - María J. Rivero
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Nazely Diban
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Ane Urtiaga
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
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34
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Wei WJ, Wang YC, Guan X, Chen WG, Liu J. A neurovascular unit-on-a-chip: culture and differentiation of human neural stem cells in a three-dimensional microfluidic environment. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:2260-2266. [PMID: 35259847 PMCID: PMC9083144 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.337050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological studies typically rely on a simple monolayer cell culture, which does not reflect the complex functional characteristics of human tissues and organs, or their real response to external stimuli. Microfluidic technology has advantages of high-throughput screening, accurate control of the fluid velocity, low cell consumption, long-term culture, and high integration. By combining the multipotential differentiation of neural stem cells with high throughput and the integrated characteristics of microfluidic technology, an in vitro model of a functionalized neurovascular unit was established using human neural stem cell-derived neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and a functional microvascular barrier. The model comprises a multi-layer vertical neural module and vascular module, both of which were connected with a syringe pump. This provides controllable conditions for cell inoculation and nutrient supply, and simultaneously simulates the process of ischemic/hypoxic injury and the process of inflammatory factors in the circulatory system passing through the blood-brain barrier and then acting on the nerve tissue in the brain. The in vitro functionalized neurovascular unit model will be conducive to central nervous system disease research, drug screening, and new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juan Wei
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ya-Chen Wang
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xin Guan
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei-Gong Chen
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
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Han H, Jang J. Recent advances in biofabricated gut models to understand the gut-brain axis in neurological diseases. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:931411. [PMID: 36188186 PMCID: PMC9515506 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.931411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has accumulated that gut microbiome dysbiosis could be linked to neurological diseases, including both neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. With the high prevalence of neurological diseases, there is an urgent need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms between the microbiome, gut, and brain. However, the standardized aniikmal models for these studies have critical disadvantages for their translation into clinical application, such as limited physiological relevance due to interspecies differences and difficulty interpreting causality from complex systemic interactions. Therefore, alternative in vitro gut–brain axis models are highly required to understand their related pathophysiology and set novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we outline state-of-the-art biofabrication technologies for modeling in vitro human intestines. Existing 3D gut models are categorized according to their topographical and anatomical similarities to the native gut. In addition, we deliberate future research directions to develop more functional in vitro intestinal models to study the gut–brain axis in neurological diseases rather than simply recreating the morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hohyeon Han
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jinah Jang
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
- Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Correspondence: Jinah Jang
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Singh AV, Chandrasekar V, Laux P, Luch A, Dakua SP, Zamboni P, Shelar A, Yang Y, Pandit V, Tisato V, Gemmati D. Micropatterned Neurovascular Interface to Mimic the Blood–Brain Barrier’s Neurophysiology and Micromechanical Function: A BBB-on-CHIP Model. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182801. [PMID: 36139383 PMCID: PMC9497163 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A hybrid blood–brain barrier (BBB)-on-chip cell culture device is proposed in this study by integrating microcontact printing and perfusion co-culture to facilitate the study of BBB function under high biological fidelity. This is achieved by crosslinking brain extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to the transwell membrane at the luminal surface and adapting inlet–outlet perfusion on the porous transwell wall. While investigating the anatomical hallmarks of the BBB, tight junction proteins revealed tortuous zonula occludens (ZO-1), and claudin expressions with increased interdigitation in the presence of astrocytes were recorded. Enhanced adherent junctions were also observed. This junctional phenotype reflects in-vivo-like features related to the jamming of cell borders to prevent paracellular transport. Biochemical regulation of BBB function by astrocytes was noted by the transient intracellular calcium effluxes induced into endothelial cells. Geometry-force control of astrocyte–endothelial cell interactions was studied utilizing traction force microscopy (TFM) with fluorescent beads incorporated into a micropatterned polyacrylamide gel (PAG). We observed the directionality and enhanced magnitude in the traction forces in the presence of astrocytes. In the future, we envisage studying transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the effect of chemomechanical stimulations on drug/ligand permeability and transport. The BBB-on-chip model presented in this proposal should serve as an in vitro surrogate to recapitulate the complexities of the native BBB cellular milieus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Vikram Singh
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.V.S.); (S.P.D.)
| | | | - Peter Laux
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Luch
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarada Prasad Dakua
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Doha 3050, Qatar
- Correspondence: (A.V.S.); (S.P.D.)
| | - Paolo Zamboni
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Amruta Shelar
- Department of Technology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Yin Yang
- College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha 24404, Qatar
| | - Vaibhav Pandit
- Dynex Technologies, 14340 Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly, VA 20151, USA
| | - Veronica Tisato
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Hemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Donato Gemmati
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Hemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Dabbagh F, Schroten H, Schwerk C. In Vitro Models of the Blood–Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier and Their Applications in the Development and Research of (Neuro)Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081729. [PMID: 36015358 PMCID: PMC9412499 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The pharmaceutical research sector has been facing the challenge of neurotherapeutics development and its inherited high-risk and high-failure-rate nature for decades. This hurdle is partly attributable to the presence of brain barriers, considered both as obstacles and opportunities for the entry of drug substances. The blood–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB), an under-studied brain barrier site compared to the blood–brain barrier (BBB), can be considered a potential therapeutic target to improve the delivery of CNS therapeutics and provide brain protection measures. Therefore, leveraging robust and authentic in vitro models of the BCSFB can diminish the time and effort spent on unproductive or redundant development activities by a preliminary assessment of the desired physiochemical behavior of an agent toward this barrier. To this end, the current review summarizes the efforts and progresses made to this research area with a notable focus on the attribution of these models and applied techniques to the pharmaceutical sector and the development of neuropharmacological therapeutics and diagnostics. A survey of available in vitro models, with their advantages and limitations and cell lines in hand will be provided, followed by highlighting the potential applications of such models in the (neuro)therapeutics discovery and development pipelines.
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Schreiner TG, Creangă-Murariu I, Tamba BI, Lucanu N, Popescu BO. In Vitro Modeling of the Blood–Brain Barrier for the Study of Physiological Conditions and Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081136. [PMID: 36009030 PMCID: PMC9405874 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is an essential structure for the maintenance of brain homeostasis. Alterations to the BBB are linked with a myriad of pathological conditions and play a significant role in the onset and evolution of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, a deeper understanding of the BBB’s structure and function is mandatory for a better knowledge of neurodegenerative disorders and the development of effective therapies. Because studying the BBB in vivo imposes overwhelming difficulties, the in vitro approach remains the main possible way of research. With many in vitro BBB models having been developed over the last years, the main aim of this review is to systematically present the most relevant designs used in neurological research. In the first part of the article, the physiological and structural–functional parameters of the human BBB are detailed. Subsequently, available BBB models are presented in a comparative approach, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Finally, the new perspectives related to the study of Alzheimer’s disease with the help of novel devices that mimic the in vivo human BBB milieu gives the paper significant originality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gabriel Schreiner
- Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Electrical Measurements and Materials, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 21-23 Professor Dimitrie Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Ioana Creangă-Murariu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Universitatii Str., No. 16, 700155 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Universitatii Str., No. 16, 700155 Iasi, Romania
| | - Nicolae Lucanu
- Department of Applied Electronics and Intelligent Systems, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 21-23 Professor Dimitrie Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ovidiu Popescu
- Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Neurology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neurosciences and Experimental Myology, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
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Modelling the Human Blood-Brain Barrier in Huntington Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147813. [PMID: 35887162 PMCID: PMC9321930 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
While blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction has been described in neurological disorders, including Huntington’s disease (HD), it is not known if endothelial cells themselves are functionally compromised when promoting BBB dysfunction. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of BBB dysfunction remain elusive given the limitations with mouse models and post mortem tissue to identify primary deficits. We established models of BBB and undertook a transcriptome and functional analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain-like microvascular endothelial cells (iBMEC) from HD patients or unaffected controls. We demonstrated that HD-iBMECs have abnormalities in barrier properties, as well as in specific BBB functions such as receptor-mediated transcytosis.
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40
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Sun J, Ou W, Han D, Paganini-Hill A, Fisher MJ, Sumbria RK. Comparative studies between the murine immortalized brain endothelial cell line (bEnd.3) and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human brain endothelial cells for paracellular transport. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268860. [PMID: 35613139 PMCID: PMC9132315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain microvascular endothelial cells, forming the anatomical site of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), are widely used as in vitro complements to in vivo BBB studies. Among the immortalized cells used as in vitro BBB models, the murine-derived bEnd.3 cells offer culturing consistency and low cost and are well characterized for functional and transport assays, but result in low transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Human-induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into brain microvascular endothelial cells (ihBMECs) have superior barrier properties, but the process of differentiation is time-consuming and can result in mixed endothelial-epithelial gene expression. Here we performed a side-by-side comparison of the ihBMECs and bEnd.3 cells for key paracellular diffusional transport characteristics. The TEER across the ihBMECs was 45- to 68-fold higher than the bEnd.3 monolayer. The ihBMECs had significantly lower tracer permeability than the bEnd.3 cells. Both, however, could discriminate between the paracellular permeabilities of two tracers: sodium fluorescein (MW: 376 Da) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (MW: 70 kDa). FITC-dextran permeability was a strong inverse-correlate of TEER in the bEnd.3 cells, whereas sodium fluorescein permeability was a strong inverse-correlate of TEER in the ihBMECs. Both bEnd.3 cells and ihBMECs showed the typical cobblestone morphology with robust uptake of acetylated LDL and strong immuno-positivity for vWF. Both models showed strong claudin-5 expression, albeit with differences in expression location. We further confirmed the vascular endothelial- (CD31 and tube-like formation) and erythrophagocytic-phenotypes and the response to inflammatory stimuli of ihBMECs. Overall, both bEnd.3 cells and ihBMECs express key brain endothelial phenotypic markers, and despite differential TEER measurements, these in vitro models can discriminate between the passage of different molecular weight tracers. Our results highlight the need to corroborate TEER measurements with different molecular weight tracers and that the bEnd.3 cells may be suitable for large molecule transport studies despite their low TEER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Sun
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Weijun Ou
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Derick Han
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA, United States of America
| | - Annlia Paganini-Hill
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Mark J. Fisher
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Rachita K. Sumbria
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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41
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Aazmi A, Zhou H, Lv W, Yu M, Xu X, Yang H, Zhang YS, Ma L. Vascularizing the brain in vitro. iScience 2022; 25:104110. [PMID: 35378862 PMCID: PMC8976127 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is arguably the most fascinating and complex organ in the human body. Recreating the brain in vitro is an ambition restricted by our limited understanding of its structure and interacting elements. One of these interacting parts, the brain microvasculature, is distinguished by a highly selective barrier known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), limiting the transport of substances between the blood and the nervous system. Numerous in vitro models have been used to mimic the BBB and constructed by implementing a variety of microfabrication and microfluidic techniques. However, currently available models still cannot accurately imitate the in vivo characteristics of BBB. In this article, we review recent BBB models by analyzing each parameter affecting the accuracy of these models. Furthermore, we propose an investigation of the synergy between BBB models and neuronal tissue biofabrication, which results in more advanced models, including neurovascular unit microfluidic models and vascularized brain organoid-based models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdellah Aazmi
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongzhao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Weikang Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mengfei Yu
- The Affiliated Stomatologic Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xiaobin Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Huayong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Liang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Mathew S, Sivasubbu S. Long Non Coding RNA Based Regulation of Cerebrovascular Endothelium. Front Genet 2022; 13:834367. [PMID: 35495157 PMCID: PMC9043600 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.834367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid and high throughput discovery of long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has far outstripped the functional annotation of these novel transcripts in their respective cellular contexts. The cells of the blood brain barrier (BBB), especially the cerebrovascular endothelial cells (CVECs), are strictly regulated to maintain a controlled state of homeostasis for undisrupted brain function. Several key pathways are understood in CVEC function that lead to the development and maintenance of their barrier properties, the dysregulation of which leads to BBB breakdown and neuronal injury. Endothelial lncRNAs have been discovered and functionally validated in the past decade, spanning a wide variety of regulatory mechanisms in health and disease. We summarize here the lncRNA-mediated regulation of established pathways that maintain or disrupt the barrier property of CVECs, including in conditions such as ischemic stroke and glioma. These lncRNAs namely regulate the tight junction assembly/disassembly, angiogenesis, autophagy, apoptosis, and so on. The identification of these lncRNAs suggests a less understood mechanistic layer, calling for further studies in appropriate models of the blood brain barrier to shed light on the lncRNA-mediated regulation of CVEC function. Finally, we gather various approaches for validating lncRNAs in BBB function in human organoids and animal models and discuss the therapeutic potential of CVEC lncRNAs along with the current limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samatha Mathew
- CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi, India,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Sridhar Sivasubbu
- CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi, India,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India,*Correspondence: Sridhar Sivasubbu,
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43
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Martinelli I, Tayebati SK, Tomassoni D, Nittari G, Roy P, Amenta F. Brain and Retinal Organoids for Disease Modeling: The Importance of In Vitro Blood–Brain and Retinal Barriers Studies. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071120. [PMID: 35406683 PMCID: PMC8997725 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain and retinal organoids are functional and dynamic in vitro three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from pluripotent stem cells that spontaneously organize themselves to their in vivo counterparts. Here, we review the main literature data of how these organoids have been developed through different protocols and how they have been technically analyzed. Moreover, this paper reviews recent advances in using organoids to model neurological and retinal diseases, considering their potential for translational applications but also pointing out their limitations. Since the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–retinal barrier (BRB) are understood to play a fundamental role respectively in brain and eye functions, both in health and in disease, we provide an overview of the progress in the development techniques of in vitro models as reliable and predictive screening tools for BBB and BRB-penetrating compounds. Furthermore, we propose potential future directions for brain and retinal organoids, in which dedicated biobanks will represent a novel tool for neuroscience and ophthalmology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Martinelli
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.T.); (P.R.)
| | - Giulio Nittari
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
| | - Proshanta Roy
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (D.T.); (P.R.)
| | - Francesco Amenta
- School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (S.K.T.); (G.N.); (F.A.)
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44
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Vargas R, Egurbide-Sifre A, Medina L. Organ-on-a-Chip systems for new drugs development. ADMET AND DMPK 2022; 9:111-141. [PMID: 35299767 PMCID: PMC8920106 DOI: 10.5599/admet.942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on alternatives to the use of animal models and cell cultures has led to the creation of organ-on-a-chip systems, in which organs and their physiological reactions to the presence of external stimuli are simulated. These systems could even replace the use of human beings as subjects for the study of drugs in clinical phases and have an impact on personalized therapies. Organ-on-a-chip technology present higher potential than traditional cell cultures for an appropriate prediction of functional impairments, appearance of adverse effects, the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profile and the efficacy of a drug. This potential is given by the possibility of placing different cell lines in a three-dimensional-arranged polymer piece and simulating and controlling specific conditions. Thus, the normal functioning of an organ, tissue, barrier, or physiological phenomenon can be simulated, as well as the interrelation between different systems. Furthermore, this alternative allows the study of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Its design combines different disciplines such as materials engineering, cell cultures, microfluidics and physiology, among others. This work presents the main considerations of OoC systems, the materials, methods and cell lines used for their design, and the conditions required for their proper functioning. Examples of applications and main challenges for the development of more robust systems are shown. This non-systematic review is intended to be a reference framework that facilitates research focused on the development of new OoC systems, as well as their use as alternatives in pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronny Vargas
- Industrial Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Costa Rica 11501-2060, San José, Costa Rica.,Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, 27-1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Egurbide-Sifre
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, 27-1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Medina
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, 27-1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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45
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Shah B, Dong X. Current Status of In vitro Models of the Blood-Brain Barrier. Curr Drug Deliv 2022; 19:1034-1046. [PMID: 35240972 DOI: 10.2174/1567201819666220303102614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of the brain are the most debilitating situation affected globally with increased mortality rates every year, while brain physiology and cumbersome drug development processes exacerbate this. Although blood-brain barrier (BBB) and its components are important for brain protection, their complexity creates major obstacles for brain drug delivery and the BBB is the primary cause of treatment failure leading to disease progression. Therefore, developing an ideal platform which can predict the behavior of a drug delivery system in the brain at the early development phase is extremely crucial. In this direction, since the last two decades, numerous in vitro BBB models have been developed and investigated by researchers to understand the barrier properties and how closely the in vitro models mimic with in vivo BBB. In-vitro BBB models are mainly culture of endothelial cells or their coculture with other perivascular cells either in two or three-dimensional platforms. In this article, we have briefly summarized the fundamentals of BBB and outlined different types of in vitro BBB models with their pros and cons. Based on the available reports, no model seems to be robust that can truly mimic the entire properties of the in vivo BBB microvasculature. However, human stem cells, coculture and three-dimensional models were found to mimic the complexity of the barrier integrity not completely but more precisely than other in vitro models. More studies aiming towards combining them together would be needed to develop an ideal in vitro model that can overcome the existing limitations and unravel the mysterious BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brijesh Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Xiaowei Dong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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46
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Archie SR, Sharma S, Burks E, Abbruscato T. Biological determinants impact the neurovascular toxicity of nicotine and tobacco smoke: A pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics perspective. Neurotoxicology 2022; 89:140-160. [PMID: 35150755 PMCID: PMC8958572 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the detrimental effect of nicotine and tobacco smoke on the central nervous system (CNS) is caused by the neurotoxic role of nicotine on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression, and the dopaminergic system. The ultimate consequence of these nicotine associated neurotoxicities can lead to cerebrovascular dysfunction, altered behavioral outcomes (hyperactivity and cognitive dysfunction) as well as future drug abuse and addiction. The severity of these detrimental effects can be associated with several biological determinants. Sex and age are two important biological determinants which can affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of several systemically available substances, including nicotine. With regard to sex, the availability of gonadal hormone is impacted by the pregnancy status and menstrual cycle resulting in altered metabolism rate of nicotine. Additionally, the observed lower smoking cessation rate in females compared to males is a consequence of differential effects of sex on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine. Similarly, age-dependent alterations in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine have also been observed. One such example is related to severe vulnerability of adolescence towards addiction and long-term behavioral changes which may continue through adulthood. Considering the possible neurotoxic effects of nicotine on the central nervous system and the deterministic role of sex as well as age on these neurotoxic effects of smoking, it has become important to consider sex and age to study nicotine induced neurotoxicity and development of treatment strategies for combating possible harmful effects of nicotine. In the future, understanding the role of sex and age on the neurotoxic actions of nicotine can facilitate the individualization and optimization of treatment(s) to mitigate nicotine induced neurotoxicity as well as smoking cessation therapy. Unfortunately, however, no such comprehensive study is available which has considered both the sex- and age-dependent neurotoxicity of nicotine, as of today. Hence, the overreaching goal of this review article is to analyze and summarize the impact of sex and age on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine and possible neurotoxic consequences associated with nicotine in order to emphasize the importance of including these biological factors for such studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Rahman Archie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Sejal Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth Burks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA.
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47
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Fan W, Christian KM, Song H, Ming GL. Applications of Brain Organoids for Infectious Diseases. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167243. [PMID: 34536442 PMCID: PMC8810605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Brain organoids are self-organized three-dimensional aggregates generated from pluripotent stem cells. They exhibit complex cell diversities and organized architectures that resemble human brain development ranging from neural tube formation, neuroepithelium differentiation, neurogenesis and gliogenesis, to neural circuit formation. Rapid advancements in brain organoid culture technologies have allowed researchers to generate more accurate models of human brain development and neurological diseases. These models also allow for direct investigation of pathological processes associated with infectious diseases affecting the nervous system. In this review, we first briefly summarize recent advancements in brain organoid methodologies and neurodevelopmental processes that can be effectively modeled by brain organoids. We then focus on applications of brain organoids to investigate the pathogenesis of neurotropic viral infection. Finally, we discuss limitations of the current brain organoid methodologies as well as applications of other organ specific organoids in the infectious disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Fan
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kimberly M Christian
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Epigenetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. https://twitter.com/UPenn_SongMing
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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48
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Maurissen TL, Pavlou G, Bichsel C, Villaseñor R, Kamm RD, Ragelle H. Microphysiological Neurovascular Barriers to Model the Inner Retinal Microvasculature. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020148. [PMID: 35207637 PMCID: PMC8876566 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-neural barriers regulate nutrient supply to neuronal tissues and prevent neurotoxicity. In particular, the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB) and blood–brain barrier (BBB) share common origins in development, and similar morphology and function in adult tissue, while barrier breakdown and leakage of neurotoxic molecules can be accompanied by neurodegeneration. Therefore, pre-clinical research requires human in vitro models that elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms and support drug discovery, to add to animal in vivo modeling that poorly predict patient responses. Advanced cellular models such as microphysiological systems (MPS) recapitulate tissue organization and function in many organ-specific contexts, providing physiological relevance, potential for customization to different population groups, and scalability for drug screening purposes. While human-based MPS have been developed for tissues such as lung, gut, brain and tumors, few comprehensive models exist for ocular tissues and iBRB modeling. Recent BBB in vitro models using human cells of the neurovascular unit (NVU) showed physiological morphology and permeability values, and reproduced brain neurological disorder phenotypes that could be applicable to modeling the iBRB. Here, we describe similarities between iBRB and BBB properties, compare existing neurovascular barrier models, propose leverage of MPS-based strategies to develop new iBRB models, and explore potentials to personalize cellular inputs and improve pre-clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L. Maurissen
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Georgios Pavlou
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., MIT Building, Room NE47-321, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
| | - Colette Bichsel
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Institute for Translational Bioengineering, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Villaseñor
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience and Rare Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., MIT Building, Room NE47-321, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., MIT Building, Room NE47-321, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Correspondence: (R.D.K.); (H.R.)
| | - Héloïse Ragelle
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
- Correspondence: (R.D.K.); (H.R.)
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49
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Abstract
In 2001, the concept of the neurovascular unit was introduced at the Stroke Progress Review Group meeting. The neurovascular unit is an important element of the health and disease status of blood vessels and nerves in the central nervous system. Since then, the neurovascular unit has attracted increasing interest from research teams, who have contributed greatly to the prevention, treatment, and prognosis of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. However, additional research is needed to establish an efficient, low-cost, and low-energy in vitro model of the neurovascular unit, as well as enable noninvasive observation of neurovascular units in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we first summarize the composition of neurovascular units, then investigate the efficacy of different types of stem cells and cell culture methods in the construction of neurovascular unit models, and finally assess the progress of imaging methods used to observe neurovascular units in recent years and their positive role in the monitoring and investigation of the mechanisms of a variety of central nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiwei Dong
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Feng Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Peifeng Wei
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Provinve, China
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50
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Salmina AB, Malinovskaya NA, Morgun AV, Khilazheva ED, Uspenskaya YA, Illarioshkin SN. Reproducibility of developmental neuroplasticity in in vitro brain tissue models. Rev Neurosci 2022; 33:531-554. [PMID: 34983132 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2021-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The current prevalence of neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and brain injury stimulates studies aimed to identify new molecular targets, to select the drug candidates, to complete the whole set of preclinical and clinical trials, and to implement new drugs into routine neurological practice. Establishment of protocols based on microfluidics, blood-brain barrier- or neurovascular unit-on-chip, and microphysiological systems allowed improving the barrier characteristics and analyzing the regulation of local microcirculation, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis. Reconstruction of key mechanisms of brain development and even some aspects of experience-driven brain plasticity would be helpful in the establishment of brain in vitro models with the highest degree of reliability. Activity, metabolic status and expression pattern of cells within the models can be effectively assessed with the protocols of system biology, cell imaging, and functional cell analysis. The next generation of in vitro models should demonstrate high scalability, 3D or 4D complexity, possibility to be combined with other tissues or cell types within the microphysiological systems, compatibility with bio-inks or extracellular matrix-like materials, achievement of adequate vascularization, patient-specific characteristics, and opportunity to provide high-content screening. In this review, we will focus on currently available and prospective brain tissue in vitro models suitable for experimental and preclinical studies with the special focus on models enabling 4D reconstruction of brain tissue for the assessment of brain development, brain plasticity, and drug kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla B Salmina
- Laboratory of Experimental Brain Cytology, Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Highway 80, Moscow, 125367, Russia.,Research Institute of Molecular Medicine & Pathobiochemistry, Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, P. Zhelenzyaka str., 1, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
| | - Natalia A Malinovskaya
- Research Institute of Molecular Medicine & Pathobiochemistry, Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, P. Zhelenzyaka str., 1, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
| | - Andrey V Morgun
- Department of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, P. Zheleznyaka str., 1, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
| | - Elena D Khilazheva
- Research Institute of Molecular Medicine & Pathobiochemistry, Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, P. Zhelenzyaka str., 1, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
| | - Yulia A Uspenskaya
- Research Institute of Molecular Medicine & Pathobiochemistry, Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, P. Zhelenzyaka str., 1, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
| | - Sergey N Illarioshkin
- Department of Brain Studies, Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Highway, 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
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